Enlarge image
Nikki Haley in Charleston
Photo: Chris Carlson / AP
Republican Nikki Haley, Donald Trump's last party rival, has withdrawn from the presidential race.
“It is now time to end my campaign,” she said on Wednesday in Charleston.
In her brief speech, Haley did not call on her supporters to support Trump.
She wishes him well, Haley said.
But it is now up to Trump to earn the trust of those who do not support him.
"I hope he does."
»In the best case, politics is about winning people over to your own cause - not about turning them away.
And our conservative cause urgently needs more people.
She will continue to raise her voice as a private citizen, said Haley - and warned of a division in American society.
On Super Tuesday, Haley lost to Trump in 14 of 15 US states; she was only ahead in Vermont.
This makes Trump's lead among the delegates who vote on the presidential nomination virtually unassailable.
Haley was once governor of the US state of South Carolina and worked as US ambassador to the United Nations during Trump's presidency.
At first she rejected a candidacy against him, but then started her campaign.
In it, she presented herself as a candidate who, like Trump, can appeal not only to the core Republican electorate, but also to the swing voters who are so important for a victory in the presidential election.
Haley repeatedly attacked Trump openly, criticizing, among other things, the “chaos and drama” of his campaign.
Haley was particularly popular with moderates and voters with college degrees.
Both groups could play a decisive role in the November election.
Democrats hope to win over some Haley supporters.
slü